Toronto, Ontario -- An OEM is making significant investments in the physical and digital infrastructure of its Canadian parts distribution network.
Ford Canada is launching two new hubs to its parts network in Ontario and unveiling major improvements to an Alberta facility.
The automaker says it has established the new Ontario distribution centres in strategically important locations within the province. The larger facility is in Paris, between London and Hamilton. The smaller is in Casselman, near Ottawa.
The Paris facility spans 560,000 square feet (52,025 square metres), while the Casselman center covers 530,000 square feet (49,238 square metres).
The OEM has also unveiled major modifications to an existing facility operating near Edmonton. The modernized Leduc, Alberta facility operates from 403,000 square feet (37,439 square metres).
The three facilities total approximately 1.5 million square feet (140,000) square meters) of warehouse space and employ an average of 75 warehouse operators each on a daily basis.
The location's operationally efficient building designs are expected to reduce operating costs while meeting increasing demand in the Canadian market.
Beyond improving the auto parts network's physical infrastructure, Ford Canada has also implemented a new systems, applications and products software system as well as a new transportation visability platform to provide real-time tracking of parts shipments. Ford Canada has also consolidated to a single main carrier to improve service times and delivery accuracy.
Perhaps the most significant change is the new retail inventory management (RIM) system, which is currently launching across Canada. The system aims to stock dealerships with high-demand parts before they're actually needed, targeting 70 to 75 percent of necessary parts on-site before vehicles even roll into the service bay.
The enhanced distribution network represents Ford Canada's broader strategy to transform its service delivery model, focusing on faster and more predictable repair timelines through improved parts logistics and inventory management.
